Albertans save drowning buck, locked to another deer’s antlers

WATCH: People jumped into action in Fort Macleod this week to save the life of an animal, after two deer were found with their antlers locked together. One was dead, but the other was still alive, close to drowning in an icy pond. As Elaine Van Rootselaar reports, it took a team of people to save the living animal.

Ian and Celena, the other friends who were present, bringing supplies and documenting it all, said it was “a great bonding moment for all of us,” Ian said. “Once in a lifetime.”

“[There were] lots of hugs and lots of yelling,” his wife Celena added.

Fish and wildlife said they understand why they intervened, but do voice concern about public safety.

“Approaching a wild animal, especially a deer that is already under a lot of stress, it can be dangerous,” said spokesperson Brendan Cox. “Ultimately, it turned out well, no one was hurt and the deer was freed, but we would prefer for people to wait for us.”

The group came out with cold hands and feet, but say they sort of feel like Christmas heroes.

“I had one of my buddies who had showed his daughters, and they think that we saved Santa’s reindeer,” said Frank.